DEPUTY speaker Lechesa Tsenoli will act as the National Assembly speaker until the house elects its new leader.
Parliament announced on Friday that after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of speaker Thandi Modise as defence minister, a date for the election of the assembly’s new speaker would be determined through consultations within parliament and the office of the chief justice.
Modise was named on Thursday as the new Defence Minister, replacing Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
According to political analysts, Mapisa-Nqakula is tipped to be the new Speaker of Parliament, but this has not been confirmed.
Announcing the new changes to the national executive, Ramaphosa said Mapisa-Nqakula will be deployed to a new position.
“We thank her for service to the nation and dedication to her responsibilities,” said Ramaphosa.
The parliamentary process is straightforward once lawmakers return from constituency recess by 18 August.
While that week is set aside for committee meetings, nothing stops the scheduling of the sitting that is required to elect a new speaker in line with Section 52 of the Constitution.
The Speaker of the National Assembly is elected to and removed from office in terms of S52 of the Constitution.
In terms of this section, the house must fill the position when it becomes vacant during the term.
- Inside Politics
